Attacks on police, arrests in Germany as nation rings in 2026

Germany’s New Year celebrations were largely peaceful compared to previous years, although there were isolated deaths and injuries and revelers in some places threw fireworks at police and first responders.

Extra police officers were on duty in many locations, with concerns about unrest in several cities, including Berlin, following attacks on emergency services on New Year’s Eve in previous years.

In Berlin alone, more than 400 arrests took place as of 1 a.m. (0000 GMT) on Thursday. In the eastern city of Leipzig, where riots broke out in previous years, police and first responders were attacked by fireworks.

In the western city of Bielefeld, two 18-year-old men died after suffering fatal facial injuries in separate accidents involving homemade fireworks.

Berlin welcomed 2026 with a seven and a half minute fireworks display at the Brandenburg Gate and countless private fireworks displays. The capital’s traditional New Year’s Eve party, featuring live entertainment, was canceled after the city government announced it would no longer fund it, and was replaced by a DJ party at Berlin’s historic landmark.

Meanwhile, in Hamburg, thousands of people welcomed public broadcaster ZDF’s New Year’s show in 2026 in rainy weather. For the first time, the “Silvester in Concert” show did not take place in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin but on a floating stage on the banks of the Elbe, in front of the Westfield shopping center.

At midnight, a spectacular fireworks display was launched from tugboats behind the stage.

In Hamburg, organizers said around 10,000 people celebrated the arrival of 2026 at a large New Year’s party on Ludwigstraße. Everything was very peaceful, said Katrin Strauch from the event agency Gral. “There were no incidents, nothing at all.”

Those celebrating the New Year outside were advised to dress warmly. In parts of Germany, the German Weather Service has advised caution due to snow and slippery conditions. In the north, the weather is expected to become increasingly stormy on Thursday morning.

New Year’s celebrations in Berlin quieter than in the past

Berlin police spokesman Florian Nath told DPA in a preliminary assessment that as of 3 a.m. the police had “no reports of serious injuries among our colleagues or among partygoers. We have also not had any serious incidents or property damage like last year.”

However, police officers were attacked with fireworks, 21 of them were slightly injured.

The police were partly successful in countering the dynamic of criminals moving among the crowds of peaceful partygoers. The concept of a large fireworks-free zone worked particularly well on Alexanderplatz.

The demonstration and celebration at the Victory Column took place peacefully. Instead of the 16,000 registered participants, only a few hundred showed up, according to the spokesperson. The celebration at the Brandenburg Gate, which attracted several thousand visitors, also took place without incident.

Leipzig police attacked with fireworks

In Leipzig, police and emergency services were attacked by fireworks, according to a police spokesperson. Among other measures, the police erected barriers in the Connewitz district, known for its riots.

However, incidents and fires in Leipzig were not limited to known areas; there were also several fires in the city center of Leipzig, where trash cans were set on fire.

In recent years, riots have regularly taken place in Leipzig on New Year’s Eve. Even before the start of the year, the police had warned that the Connewitz district was not the only one to be affected.

Firefighters constantly at work

Incidents also occurred overnight in Hamburg: according to police, passers-by and emergency services were bombarded with fireworks in the Steilshoop district. No injuries were initially reported. The suspected perpetrators were identified, but it was initially unclear whether they had been arrested.

Firefighters are also in constant action: fires were reported overnight in several Länder. Roof trusses were on fire, as were trash cans, hedges and cars. A first evaluation was not expected before New Year’s Day.

Fireworks ban discussion

This year, as in the past, many groups, from medical professionals to environmentalists, have called for a ban on fireworks as New Year’s Eve approaches.

Representatives of doctors, police and animal rights activists have all proposed a blanket ban on the use of firecrackers and rockets privately, due to the number of injuries.